The winter mornings are beautiful. Clear skies, the owl calling out in the trees, and the lights from the town glistening making it look like fairy town. If only I could spot the graving tool, or the sea goat. It would be wonderful to stop, point into the sky, and say “Is that the southern crown, or the table mountain Bella?” I mean, there are 88 constellations (yes, I had to google) and I don’t even know one of them! Air pump? Keel of Argonauts ship? We definitely didn’t learn that at school! Who names them? Or how are they named? I need to ask Google more questions then I can go star spotting.

Anyway, I have Bella trotting alongside me, sniffing at every opportunity. Scent hounds would be great for slow walkers, as she smells everything, and I mean everything. The only time a slow walker would struggle, would be if she saw a squirrel, as she thinks they are something that need to be chased, and she goes without any warning, and fast!! We were just walking up the hill, past the houses, with most still having their curtains shut and lights off, when we came across a house that had a light on in the kitchen diner.

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Big mistake.

Big mistake for having the light on. Big mistake for looking in as I walked by.
I saw a guy doing a meditation pose against the sofa. Both arms up above his head, balancing on one leg, and slightly twisting to the side. Once I realised what I was seeing, I quickly looked away, and had to pull Bella away from the leaf she was interrogating with her nose, and speedwalk away from the situation. Never again am I being drawn to looking through a window as I walk past! If the lights on, look away – that’s my new motto!

One thing I do always look at (and yes, its clean) is street names. My word there are some odd ones around! Little cake; Hole bottom; Hill End…… they make me chuckle.

Now we are getting closer to the clocks going forward, I don’t need my torch once we are half way round the walk, and as I’m coming back into town, I can definitely feel Spring isn’t far away. But it's still very cold, and I only see one or two other fellow dog walkers at that time. I heard someone wheeling their bin and looked up to say "hi".

Repeat of big mistake.

Repeat of big mistake for said resident not having any jeans on! He very cleverly stood still with his back to me as I walked past, and I could hear him walking back to his front door once I had gone. I bet we have all done it, nipped out thinking no one would be around. Just put a jacket and shoes on. Forgetting that some residents have to get up and take their dogs out before going to work, and don’t necessarily wish to see white legs, knobbly knees and pants before 7.30am!

I think I need hat, scarf and blinkers for my dog walking! Or buy Bella a treadmill?